Police say officers from the Counties Manukau, Auckland City and Waitemata districts executed more than 30 search warrants at addresses in those areas over the past fortnight targeting an organised crime group using residential properties to set-up sophisticated indoor cannabis growing systems.
The termination has resulted in a “significant seizure of illegal drugs and the arrest of 11 people”, police say.
Some 3385 cannabis plants at various growth-stages were seized and destroyed, along with 48 kilograms of dried cannabis.
The estimated total value of the seizures, based on estimated yield of the plants, is $18 million, police say.
The 11 arrested were in New Zealand illegally and as a result Immigration New Zealand has deported 11 Vietnamese nationals.
They have left New Zealand and are back in Vietnam, police say.
Enquiries are ongoing utilising intelligence gathered during the operation and police say they cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests.
Acting detective inspector Greg Brand of Auckland City Police says the arrests are a result of an investigation that has spanned Tamaki Makaurau targeting a sophisticated and profit-driven criminal syndicate.
“This group were cultivating and dealing in large amounts of cannabis and their actions mirror similar operations recently uncovered in Australia where criminal groups, primarily of Vietnamese descent, were running a large number of indoor cannabis-growing operations,” says Brand.
“Make no mistake, these syndicates are well connected to gangs and this cannabis is a large source of income for their illegal operations.
“Often the properties used by these groups will appear innocuous and will not really attract neighbours’ attention.
“However, the operations that are set-up within are capable of producing large quantities of cannabis to sell,” Brand says.
“These individuals are significantly modifying rental properties to cultivate cannabis with extremely dangerous electrical installations.
“Not only is this extremely dangerous and creates a significant fire risk, and we’d estimate millions of dollars’ worth of electricity is being stolen every year to run these operations.”
Police says they’re working alongside Immigration New Zealand in relation to the foreign nationals involved in this investigation, as “we want to ensure migrant communities are kept safe from those who would exploit the conditions of their work visas”.
Meanwhile, police are reminding landlords to be vigilant when renting out their properties.
They say landlords should ensure there are regular property inspections.
“Carry out thorough vetting: get two forms of photo identification and sight the original document, comparing the photo with the applicant.
“It’s important for the community to remain vigilant as well.
“If you see suspicious activity, such as deliveries of easy grow and fertiliser bags being dropped off, or signs that an electricity meter has been tampered with, please contact police.”
Police say information reports about suspicious activity can be made by calling 105, online at www.police.govt.nz/use-105, or by contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously on free phone 0800 555 111.
If members of migrant communities are concerned about possible cases of exploitation, they can contact MBIE on free phone 0800 209 020, police say.
